More Like This

Preview

Humanist scholarship undoubtedly played a major role in the origins of the Reformation, but scholars themselves were divided between conservatives and reformers. The dominant figure of Erasmus led the way towards reform of the Church, expressing many of the same criticisms as Luther within a framework of pious Catholicism, but rejected the conclusions of the Reformers, especially over the vexed question of free will. The Catholic Church ended up condemning Erasmus, but Luther was equally hostile. His reputation, however, remained intact in Basel, Holland, especially Rotterdam, and among the...

Humanist scholarship undoubtedly played a major role in the origins of the Reformation, but scholars themselves were divided between conservatives and reformers. The dominant figure of Erasmus led the way towards reform of the Church, expressing many of the same criticisms as Luther within a framework of pious Catholicism, but rejected the conclusions of the Reformers, especially over the vexed question of free will. The Catholic Church ended up condemning Erasmus, but Luther was equally hostile. His reputation, however, remained intact in Basel, Holland, especially Rotterdam, and among the moderate Lutherans associated with Philip Melanchthon.